Mr. Finest Jefferson Kirkland

KIRKLAND, Mr. Finest Jefferson - age 73, passed away Saturday, August 2, 2014 at his residence. Family hour 10 a.m. Friday, August 8, 2014 at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, 3020 Dupont St. with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Pastor Kevin Thompson officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Friday. Mr. Kirkland will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. and may be viewed from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday. Mr. Finest J. Kirkland “Jeff” was born July 4, 1941 in Philadelphia, Mississippi, the son of Henry and Lottie Kirkland. After graduating from Hopewell High School, Finest moved to Syracuse, NY where he married the love of his life, Gloria Dean Drake. There were 5 children born to this union; Laura, Curtis, Jefferson, Denia and Ameshia. Finest relocated his family to Flint in 1977 where he was employed at General Motors until he retired in 2004. In his spare time he loved watching old western movies, playing the lottery, fishing, trying to hunt, singing, gossiping and spending time with family and friends. Mr. Finest J. Kirkland “Jeff” leaves to cherish his precious memory; loving and devoted wife of 51years, Gloria Dean Kirkland; 2 daughters, Denia S. Kirkland of Riverdale, GA and Ameshia S. Kirkland of Flint; son, Jefferson (Shelia) Kirkland of Flint; 8 grandchildren, Tori Drake, Jeffrey Kirkland, Brittney Kirkland, Denika Johnson, Sajaya Rison, Breanna Kirkland, JaCorey Rison and Jerimah Kirkland; 4 great-grandchildren, Donte Drake-Allen, Canaja Garrett, Kendall Thorton Jr., And Jazzy McClendon Jr; 3 sisters, Annette (Sam) Roberts of Flint, Pauline (Mackie) Clemons of Philadelphia, MS and Viola Whidbee of Flint; 4 brothers, Grady Kirkland of Philadelphia, MS, Raymond Kirkland of Grand Blanc, MI, Jerome (Raydean) Kirkland of Flint and Joe (Cora) Kirkland of Flint; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins other relatives and friends including special friends; Ernie Williams, Fred Lambert and Louie Allen. Mr. Kirkland was preceded in death by; Children Laura and Curtis; parents Henry and Lottie Kirkland; sisters, Queen and Mary; brothers, Tarus, Willie, Roy and Henry.

Mr. Finest Jefferson Kirkland

July 4, 1941 - August 2, 2014